State’s civil rights director fired for inappropriate comments
LANSING (AP) — The Civil Rights Commission in Michigan has voted to fire the director of the state’s Department of Civil Rights after it emerged that he made inappropriate comments that objectified women.
The commission originally reprimanded Agustin Arbulu after an investigation into remarks he made to a male staffer during a listening session at a middle school in May.
On Tuesday, in a 5-2 vote, the commission dismissed Arbulu as director of the agency that investigates discrimination complaints.
Arbulu was appointed in 2013 to the commission by then-Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican.
He has been director of the agency since 2015.
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer earlier this month blasted the commission’s decision to let Arbulu keep his job despite his comments, which a staffer said included such things as “would you look at that woman” and that the staffer should “check out” her butt.
Michigan senator backs adoption for retired lab animals
DETROIT (AP) — Michigan Sen. Gary Peters says federal agencies that use certain animals for research should help find safe homes for them afterward.
Peters is co-sponsoring a bill that would require government laboratories to develop adoption or retirement policies for laboratory animals.
More than 50,000 animals covered by the Animal Welfare Act were used in federal labs in the 2018 fiscal year — mostly dogs, cats, monkeys and rabbits.
Many animals are killed after they are no longer needed for research.
Under the proposed legislation, those that are healthy would go instead to private homes, animal rescues or reputable sanctuaries.
Members of both parties are backing the measure, which has also been introduced in the House.
Woman fights request to turn in 15-year-old vanity plate
ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire woman is fighting the state Department of Motor Vehicles over her 15-year-old vanity license plate showing a common parental phrase.
Seacoastonline.com reports Wendy Auger, of Rochester, has been asked to surrender the plate, which reads “PB4WEGO.”
The state says phrases related to excretory acts aren't permitted.
Auger’s appealing.
She asked: "Who has a mom or dad or parental figure who hasn't said that to kids before leaving the house?”
She’s one of 92 New Hampshire drivers who received vanity plate recall letters this year.
State records show there are 152,028 vanity plates on the road in New Hampshire.
A DMV spokesperson said plates must be rejected “when they do not conform to legal requirements.”
The spokesperson said the state cannot comment on the specifics of Auger’s case.
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